Opie and Cleigh by Gary Nine, recommended by Trish
Fantastic debut novel by a local author! A popular cheerleader is murdered, and the students, schoolteachers and officials all come together to support each other. The killer now has developed a taste for killing, will he be caught in time before he kills again. Opie and Cleigh is suspenseful and really brings together how a community can come together when tragedy hits.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, recommended by Dennis
This was a fun read if you like stories about the wee folk. Emily Wilde is an expert on faeries. She is doing research on an elusive class of faeries she calls the Hidden Ones. To do this she must live in a small, isolated cottage in a small village near the forest where they can occasionally be found. She is fine with this as she doesn’t like dealing with people. To her dismay, Windell Bambleby shows up at her doorstep and wants to join her investigation. He is the opposite of her in that he likes the comforts of life and people. He is a published expert on faeries, and she has heard that he has others do the work and then takes the credit. She doesn’t want that to happen to her. During her investigations she encounters abductions, possessed children and encounters fairy royalty.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune, recommended by Meg
“The House in the Cerulean Sea” is a captivating book that takes readers on a journey of love, acceptance, and the power of found family. T.J. Klune’s whimsical writing style brings to life a vibrant world filled with extraordinary characters, each with their own struggles and unique magical abilities. This heartwarming tale explores themes of identity and the importance of embracing differences, reminding us of the profound impact kindness and empathy can have. With its poignant message and uplifting storyline, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a must-read that will leave you believing in the magic of compassion and the strength of human connection.
Your Thoughts: A patron said, “This book was so sweet and nicely written. A modern fairy tale with a happy ending!”
The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser, recommended by Megan C.
If you love books about books and are looking for a feel-good read by the pool, pick up The Bookshop of Second Chances! Thea is coasting through life when some unexpected changes leave her bewildered about what comes next. Family ties lead her to a small coastal town in Scotland and its local bookshop. After being hired by the gruff yet handsome bookseller Edward, Thea quickly realizes that the Scottish town may be just as complicated as home. Fraser’s modern, conversational, and quirky prose brings her characters to life with whimsy and depth. This book was a joy and got me out of a reading slump!
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay and Knock at the Cabin, recommended by Megan S.
A family vacation gone horribly wrong is at the center of this book and its movie version, which came out just this year. Both book and movie wrestle with the concepts of family, devotion, and the hard choices we all make in life, though the movie varies from the book just enough to make it interesting. I’ll be a typical reader and say “the book was better,” but both kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next. Warning: both book and movie contain several instances of physical violence.